Linkable LED strip lighting fixture

Abstract

An elongated, linkable LED strip lighting fixture having an elongated LED strip light engine with an LED light engine electrical contacting structure for cooperating with a linking device to link elongated, linkable LED strip lighting fixtures together, the linked LED lighting fixtures are powered by a single connection to an electrical outlet. The linked LED strip lighting fixtures can be operated independently of each other. A linking device is also included, and a patch plug is provided for enabling the linking plug to be operatively connected to an electrical output.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. The combination of a linking apparatus and a linkable LED strip lighting fixture for being electrically linked to another linkable LED strip lighting fixture;
 wherein said linking apparatus comprises:
 an insulated cable line having insulated cable line end portions; 
 a linkable LED connection device at each of said insulated cable line end positions; and 
 a patch plug comprising:
 a linkable LED connection device receptacle for receiving one of said linkable LED connection devices of said linking apparatus; and 
 an outlet plug for insertion into an electric outlet for transmitting electrical current through said patch plug, through said linking device and into said linkable LED strip lighting fixture; 
 
 
 wherein said linkable LED lighting fixture comprises:
 an LED light engine including:
 an LED module comprising at least two flexible strips of LEDs; 
 a driver electrically connected to said LED module; 
 a heat sink for absorbing heat from said LED module; and 
 a diffuser; and 
 
 an LED light engine electrical contacting structure electrically operatively connected to said LED module, said LED light engine electrical contacting structures each comprising an access for one of said linkable LED connection device for transmitting electrical current to said LED module; 
 said LED light engine being activatable in response to said access receiving one of said linkable LED connection devices. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The combination of a linking apparatus and a linkable LED strip lighting fixture according to  claim 1  wherein said linkable LED strip lighting fixture is an elongated, linkable LED strip lighting fixture, and wherein:
 said LED light engine is an elongated LED strip light engine; 
 said LED module comprises at least two flexible strips of LEDs, and wherein said LED module is elongated and has a predetermined length; 
 said driver electronically connected to said LED module; 
 said heat sink is elongated, is of substantially the same length as said LED module and is parallel to said LED module; and 
 said diffuser is elongated, is substantially the same length and is parallel to each of said LED module and said heat sink. 
 
     
     
       3. An elongated linkable LED strip lighting fixture for use with a linking device, the linking device comprising electricity transmitting plugs, said elongated linkable LED lighting fixture comprising:
 a housing comprising:
 a shade including:
 a rectangular top wall including a relatively short width with opposing straight parallel end edges and parallel opposing straight side edges; 
 a pair of identical opposing rectangular side walls having a first pair of opposing parallel side edges connected to said opposing straight parallel end edges of said rectangular top wall, and a second pair of opposing parallel side edges spaced from said first pair of opposing parallel side edges, said rectangular top wall and said pair of identical opposing rectangular side walls forming a three sided cavity having opposing end edges, each of said opposing end edge having a flat upper edge connecting two, opposing parallel side edges to form a respective open end; 
 a pair of opposing identical end pieces, each end piece comprising a plate dimensioned to fit across said end edges of said top wall and said side walls; 
 
 
 a linkable elongated LED strip light engine having opposite end portions and a longitudinal axis, said elongated LED strip light engine, including:
 an elongated LED module comprising at least two flexible strips of LEDs
 a printed circuit board; and 
 an array of electrically connected LEDs attached to said printed circuit board, said array of electronically connected LEDs including:
 at least two strips of LEDs, each strip of LEDs including LEDs electrically connected to each other in parallel; and 
 
 a driver operatively connected to said strips of LEDs and electrically connectable to a power source for transmitting electric current to said LED module in a form usable by said LED module; 
 said at least two flexible strips of LEDs and said driver being electrically connectable as part of an electrical circuit; 
 
 
 a heat sink spaced from and extending along said elongated LED module for absorbing heat generated by said array of electronically connected LEDs; 
 an elongated diffuser for partially surrounding said elongated LED module for diffusing illumination emitted by said LEDs, said elongated diffuser having opposite ends; 
 end covers at said opposite ends of said diffuser; 
 a pair of connecting seats each having a shape; 
 
       wherein said end pieces have apertures for receiving said respective connecting seats and said respective connecting seats being shaped for reception in said apertures, said connecting seats each having a linking plug receiving opening and electrical lines for establishing an electrical connection between said respective linking plug receiving opening and said strip light engine;
 a linking cable for selectively electrically linking a pair of said elongated, linkable LED strip light engines together, said linking cable comprising:
 an insulated linking cable line having opposite linking cable ends; and 
 identical linking plugs electrically connected to said linking cable line; 
 
 wherein said linking plug receiving openings of said connecting seats and said respective linking plugs are each trefoiled shaped; and said linking plug receiving openings in said connecting seats are configured as receptors for said respective trefoiled shaped linking plugs in a cooperative relationship; 
 wherein said elongated, linkable LED shop lighting fixtures when electrically linked together are selectively actuable to turn the respective elongated, linkable LED strip light engines on or off independently of the remaining elongated, linkable LED strip light engines. 
 
     
     
       4. The linkable LED strip lighting fixture according to  claim 3  wherein:
 said rectangular top wall, said opposing rectangular side walls and said opposing opposing identical end pieces define a cavity, said LED strip light engine being located in said cavity. 
 
     
     
       5. The linkable LED strip lighting fixture according to  claim 3  wherein said linkable LED strip lighting fixture has a switch for selectively turning said linkable LED strip lighting fixture on and off without affecting any other linkable LED strip lighting fixture linked to said linkable LED strip lighting fixture. 
     
     
       6. An elongated, linkable LED strip lighting fixture according to  claim 3 , and further comprising:
 a power cable comprising:
 an electricity transmitting line having opposite line ends; 
 an outlet plug operatively connected to one of said line ends, said outlet plug having plug prongs for insertion into an electric power outlet; and 
 an electrical linking plug operatively connected to the other of said line ends, said electrical linking plug having a trefoil configuration corresponding to the trefoil shape of said connecting seats, said linking plug receiving openings in said connecting seats are configured as receptors for said trefoiled shaped linking plug in a cooperative relationship. 
 
 
     
     
       7. A combination of a linking apparatus and a linkable LED strip lighting fixture for being electrically linked to another linkable LED strip lighting fixture;
 wherein said linking apparatus comprises:
 an insulated cable line having insulated cable line end portions; and 
 a linkable LED connection device at each of said insulated cable line end positions; 
 
 a patch plug comprising:
 a linkable LED connection device receptacle for receiving one of said linkable LED connection devices of said linking apparatus; and 
 an outlet plug for insertion into an electric outlet for transmitting electrical current through said patch plug, through said linking device and into said linkable LED strip lighting fixture; and 
 
 wherein said linkable LED strip lighting fixture comprises:
 an LED strip light engine including:
 an LED module; 
 a driver electrically connected to said LED module; 
 a heat sink for absorbing heat from said LED module; and 
 a diffuser; and 
 
 an LED strip light engine electrical contacting structure electrically operatively connected to said LED module, said LED strip light engine electrical contacting structures each comprising an access for one of said linkable LED connection device for transmitting electrical current to said LED module; 
 said LED strip light engine being activatable in response to said access receiving one of said linkable LED connection devices. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The combination of a linking apparatus and a linkable LED strip lighting fixture according to  claim 7  wherein said linkable LED strip lighting fixture is an elongated, linkable LED strip lighting fixture, and wherein:
 said LED strip light engine of said linkable LED strip lighting fixture is an elongated LED strip light engine. 
 
     
     
       9. The combination of a linking apparatus and a linkable LED strip lighting fixture according to  claim 7  wherein said linkable LED strip lighting fixture is an elongated, linkable LED strip lighting fixture, and wherein:
 said LED strip light engine of said linkable LED strip lighting fixture is an elongated LED strip light engine. 
 
     
     
       10. The linkable LED strip lighting fixture according to  claim 7  wherein said linkable LED strip lighting fixture comprises a switch for selectively turning said linkable LED strip lighting fixture on and off without affecting any other linking LED strip lighting fixtures linked to said linkable LED strip lighting fixture. 
     
     
       11. The linkable LED strip lighting fixture according to  claim 7  and further comprising a protective cap for selectively closing said respective accesses. 
     
     
       12. The linkable LED strip lighting fixture according to  claim 7  wherein said linkable LED strip lighting fixture is a linkable, elongated LED strip lighting fixture, and wherein:
 said housing comprises:
 a shade including:
 a rectangular top wall including a relatively short width with opposing straight parallel end edges and parallel opposing straight side edges; 
 a pair of identical opposing rectangular side walls having a first pair of opposing parallel side edges connected to said opposing straight parallel end edges of said rectangular top wall, and a second pair of opposing parallel side edges spaced from said first pair of opposing parallel side edges, said rectangular top wall and said pair of identical opposing rectangular side walls forming a three sided cavity having opposing end edges, each of said opposing end edge having a flat upper edge connecting two, opposing parallel side edges to form a respective open end; and 
 a pair of opposing identical end pieces, each of said opposing identical end pieces comprising a plate dimensioned to fit across said end edges of said top wall and said side walls; 
 
 
 wherein said LED strip light engine is a, linkable, elongated LED strip light engine having opposite end portions and a longitudinal axis, said linkable, elongated LED strip light engine comprising: 
 an elongated module having a predetermined length and including:
 at least two flexible strips of LEDs, each of said at two flexible strips of LEDs including LEDs electrically connected to each other in parallel; 
 
 a driver operatively connected to said elongated module and electrically connectable to a power source; and 
 said elongated module and said driver being electrically connectable as part of an electrical circuit; 
 an elongated heat sink spaced from and extending along said elongated LED module for absorbing heat generated by said LEDs; 
 an elongated diffuser for partially surrounding said elongated LED module for diffusing illumination emitted by said LEDs, said elongated diffuser having opposite ends; 
 end covers at said opposite ends of said diffuser; 
 a pair of connecting seats each having a shape; 
 wherein said end pieces have apertures for receiving said respective connecting seats and said respective connecting seats being shaped for reception in said apertures, said connecting seats each having a linking plug receiving opening and electrical lines for establishing an electrical connection between said respective linking plug receiving opening and said linkable, elongated LED strip light engine; 
 a linking cable for selectively electrically linking a pair of said linkable, elongated LED strip lighting fixtures together, said linking cable comprising:
 an insulated linking cable line having opposite linking cable ends; and 
 identical linking plugs electrically connected to said linking cable line; 
 
 wherein said linking plug receiving openings of said connecting seats and said respective linking plugs are each trefoiled shaped; and said linking plug receiving openings in said connecting seats are configured as receptors for said respective trefoiled shaped linking plugs in a cooperative relationship; 
 wherein said linkable, elongated LED shop lighting fixtures when electrically linked together are selectively actuable to turn the respective linkable, elongated LED strip light engines on or off independently of the remaining linkable, elongated LED strip light engines. 
 
     
     
       13. A linkable, elongated LED strip lighting fixture for use with a linking device, the linking device comprising electricity transmitting plugs, said linkable, elongated LED strip lighting fixture comprising:
 a housing comprising:
 an elongated shade including:
 a rectangular top wall including a relatively short width with opposing, straight, parallel end edges and parallel opposing straight side edges; 
 a pair of identical opposing, parallel, rectangular side walls having a first pair of opposing, parallel side edges connected to said opposing, straight, parallel end edges of said rectangular top wall, and a second pair of opposing, parallel side edges spaced from said first pair of opposing, parallel side edges, said rectangular top wall and said pair of identical, opposing, parallel, rectangular side walls forming a three sided cavity having opposing end edges, each of said opposing end edge having a flat upper edge connecting two, opposing parallel side edges to form a respective open end; 
 a pair of opposing identical end pieces, each end piece comprising a plate dimensioned to fit across said end edges of said top wall and said side walls; 
 
 
 a linkable, elongated LED strip light engine having opposite end portions and a longitudinal axis, said linkable, elongated LED strip light engine including:
 an elongated LED module comprising:
 an electric circuit including:
 a printed circuit board; and 
 an array of electrically connected LEDs attached to said printed circuit board, said array of electrically connected LEDs including: 
 at least two flexible strips of LEDs, each of said at least two flexible strips of LEDs including LEDs electrically connected to each other in parallel; and 
 a driver operatively connected to said at least two strips of LEDs and being electrically connectable to a power source for transmitting electric current to said elongated LED module in a form usable by said elongated LED module; 
 
 
 
 a heat sink spaced from and extending along said elongated LED module for absorbing heat generated by said at least two flexible strips of LEDs; 
 an elongated diffuser for partially surrounding said elongated LED module for diffusing illumination emitted by said at least two flexible strips of LEDs, said elongated diffuser having opposite ends; 
 end covers at said opposite ends of said diffuser; 
 a pair of connecting seats each having a predetermined trefoil shape; 
 wherein said end pieces have apertures for receiving said respective connecting seats and said respective connecting seats comprising a predetermined shape for reception in said apertures, said connecting seats each having a linking plug receiving opening and electrical lines for establishing an electrical connection between said respective linking plug receiving opening and said linkable elongated LED strip light engine; 
 a linking cable for selectively electrically linking a pair of said linkable LED strip light engines together, said linking cable comprising:
 an insulated linking cable line having opposite linking cable ends; and 
 identical linking plugs electrically connected to said linking cable line; 
 
 wherein said linking plug receiving openings of said connecting seats and said respective linking plugs each have said predetermined trefoil shape; and said linking plug receiving openings in said connecting seats are configured as receptors for said respective trefoiled shaped linking plugs in a cooperative relationship; 
 wherein said linkable, elongated LED shop lighting fixtures when electrically linked together are selectively actuable to turn the respective linkable, elongated LED strip light engines on or off independently of the remaining linkable, elongated LED strip light engine; and 
 LED light engine electrical contacting structures electrically connected to said LED module, said LED light engine electrical contacting structures each comprising an access for reception of an electricity transmitting plug; 
 wherein two of said linkable LED strip lighting fixtures are electrically linkable together in response to the reception of electricity transmitting plugs from the linking device in said respective accesses. 
 
     
     
       14. The linkable, elongated LED strip lighting fixture according to  claim 13  wherein:
 said rectangular top wall is an elongated rectangular top wall; and 
 said opposing rectangular side walls are elongated; 
 wherein said linkable, elongated LED light engine further comprises:
 said electric circuit; and 
 a circuit switch having a closed position for closing said electric circuit and an open position for opening said electric circuit. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The linkable, elongated LED strip lighting fixture according to  claim 13  wherein said linkable, elongated LED strip light engine further comprises opposite LED light engine end portions, and wherein said LED light engine electrical contacting structures are in operative relationship with said opposite LED light engine end portions. 
     
     
       16. The linkable LED strip lighting fixture according to  claim 13  wherein said electricity transmitting plugs of the linking device are a set of electrically insulated tubes having electrical conducting sleeves; and
 wherein said LED light engine electrical contacting structures each comprise a set of insulating cylinders having internal axial electrical conductors tubes for each receiving an electrically insulated tube for making electrical contact with the electrical conducting sleeve to enable transmission of electrical current between the conducting tube and said electrically conducting sleeve.